Bomb targets fuel oil pipeline in northern Iraq for the second time in a week

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Oil Ministry says a bomb explosion has disabled a pipeline carrying fuel oil from the country's largest refinery to a northern province — the second such attack on the pipeline in the past four days.

The ministry said Wednesday that the attack on the pipeline halted daily supplies from Beiji refinery to Ninevaha province. The pipeline carries 7 million liters (1.8 million gallons) a day to the province.

The ministry's statement says terrorists were behind the attack — a likely reference to Sunni insurgents.

According to the ministry, mines were planted around the blast area to prevent technical teams from reaching the area.

Pipeline bombings were common at the height of the county's violence from 2004 to 2008, but have dropped off significantly.